Excellent advice! These bivvies can save your life in an emergency, but like everything, there is a right way and wrong way to use them. Unfortunately, many don't take the time to learn the right way. Great information!
It is not a sleeping bag except in an emergency. It is a bivy sack, meaning you need an insulating layer, unless it is already warm and you're only trying to stay dry. If you dress properly for the environment and activity, such as you are, that may be sufficient. Or, possibly the addition of another jacket. I have used the SOL Escape Bivy with a jungle sleeping bag and fleece, with the temperatures down in the 20°, while hunting in the mountains of Nevada. Stayed warm enough and dry. You have to look at it as part of the solution.
The jungle bag alone is rated down to 28 alone. Instead of a jungle bag and "fleece" not sure if you mean clothing, blanket or sleeping bag liner? Use a down bag?
I’ve used this bivvy many times. By itself in the summer and with a sleeping bag inside for colder weather. It absolutely increases warmth but I wouldn’t say it is noticeably breathable. I always have a small amount of condensation on the inside of the bivvy but overall, I think it’s great and usually bring it as a lightweight solution to increasing the warmth of my sleep system. Having said that, I once tried an emergency Mylar sleeping bag and the sweat buildup was insane.
For emergencies, these can be used for bare minimum survival if used correctly, as shown. I carry one in my survival pack along with two "space blankets", basically to entertain myself before freezing to death. Kind of like carrying some fishing hooks and dental floss. Purely for amusement the next day if I survive the night.
I no have to say I respectfully disagree. This BIVI is supposed to have an insulating layer inside. The key is using an appropriate layer for the conditions. Sweating is simply because the user has used too much insulation. But I know many people who regularly use a sleeping bag inside these and have zero problems with condensation. Too much insulation = sweat. Too little = cold. Exactly the same as clothing. We all know to take off layers if we start sweating, or put on layers if too cold. Not sure why people think it’s any different when laying flat inside a bivi bag.
W.E.E.P. Brilliant, brother. Thank you! Also one of the best videos I've seen on survival on youtube. You're an excellent analyst, a very clear thinker and an excellent communicator. UA-cam needs to hire you to run Quality Control on Bushcraft/Survival videos.
Just for more food for thought, I was in a cold weather unit in the Marines and so I got to spend my fair share of time outside in negative temperatures. We had a saying 'cotton kills'. If possible, try to wear synthetic base layers that will shed moisture. Cotton becomes soaked and will suck heat from you. Sweat is your enemy. If you're going to have to do some moving, start cold, believe me you'll heat up fast as you begin to move, especially with a load on your back, and it will prevent you from excessively sweating.
When i was in MWTC Bridgeport I slept with my mouth at the drawstring hole so I didn't condensate and die. That was -20's with wind. Worst 30 days of my life!
Not precisely. Cotton wicks. The key is in wearing layers of clothing, in the proper order. Bare minimum, you need 3 layers. 1) A wicking layer 2) Insulation (loft) layer 3) weather-proof layer. Cotton also holds up better to getting loaded up with sweat and salt and etc. than any other fiber. Step one is DON'T sweat. If you start to sweat, ventilate immediately to release the excess heat from your body core. IF you're going to wear a cotton it needs something to wick in TO. If it doesn't have something to wick in to, it won't. Then you've got problems. You don't want your sweat to evaporate directly out of the cotton, because that sucks the heat right out of your body. So, then you've got to take your base layer off and air dry it. Without it freezing solid. So that's why you need something for it to wick in to. Cotton wicks best in to wool, and coincidentally wool has the best loft and insulation values of any cloth material. Fleece has almost identical insulation values when it's dry, but it doesn't have near the insulation value of wool when it's just damp. Wool blows everything away when it's damp, because it has hollow fibers. Your top layer should be weather-proof. Our forefathers used oil-skin. I think it's terribly interesting that the natural materials work better together, and the synthetic materials work better together. If you want to use synthetic materials, your base layer should be a cotton/polyester blend. Your insulation loft layer should be a synthetic fleece. Your weather-proof layer should be gore-tex. For each layer, the more expensive blends add a few more % of insulation value. Supposedly. That should be all you need. Add a thinsulate hat, boots and gloves (I prefer gloves with gore-tex and kevlar padding in deep winter) and you should be good to sub-zero temperatures. The only time you need snow pants, a parka and etc. is in blizzard conditions or cross country snow trekking. The key, in every layer except perhaps your base layer is ventilation. You always want your base layer to wick away from your skin. All of your other layers need ventilation. It is critical that you have the ability to quickly ventilate excess heat once you start sweating, so that your body will stop sweating. As we know, your body sweats to prevent heat from building up in your core and damaging your internal organs, up to and including heat stroke. If you have the ability to ventilate off that excess heat in sub-zero temperatures, you're golden. Obviously you don't need to wear all three layers year round. Here in Colorado the weather is 100% schizophrenic. You can have a full-tilt mountain blizzard one night, and 80 degrees the next morning. Every. Body. Wears layers once they've spent enough time in Colorado. You don't need to wear all of the layers all of the time, obviously. You just keep them in your truck or pack or whatever. In the sand dunes, you're better off stripping down to your base layer. Actually, a LOOSE fitting cotton layer covering your core and limbs is your best desert option. Just to be totally honest, I should mention that I wear wool socks 24x7x365.. but that's just me. I love my wool socks. As amazing as wool is, you should NOT wear it directly next to your skin, because your sweat breaks down the lanolin and makes it less waterproof. If that's not bad enough, the salt crystals from your sweat cut up the wool fibers and break it down. I do what I want, though, I just keep like 12 pairs of wool socks on hand, then buy a few more pair every winter the second that they hit the store shelves. :)
@@Crogon exactly it gets loaded up with sweat...do not want your sweat evaporating out of cotton...etc.. You sort of proved his point in a round about way. Cotton holds up better than any other fiber to getting loaded up with sweat but then wool blows all other fibers away? Cotton doesn't hold up all that well and dries much slower. Does it wick? Sure it will soak it all up. Soak it all up and hold onto it. I like my cotton for sure, comfy and warm in ideal conditions. Less than ideal or sweating? It's no good. Wool doesn't loft. It is the measure of space down fills. There is no combination of synthetic or natural materials that need be followed. If you are wearing or using cotton your step one is absolutely avoiding sweating as you said. Otherwise step one is wearing synthetic layers, step two vent to stay dry lol. I would agree wool would be best on top of cotton if you are going to rock it. I just avoid it all together.
I do a lot of hammock camping in any weather that I can escape into. In the cold months, I will use a bag liner, aegis max down quilt, and one of these escape bivies. With my insulated pad in the hammock, I have yet to freeze to death. Been passed freezing couple of times, in the hammock, without an underquilt.
You’ve come at this from the angle that answers my questions. Pad no pad, clothes no clothes, blankets no blankets… etc. I’m putting together a bag for my wife, travel nurse. Extended distances from home at times, 100 plus miles. Looking for fool proof items that workout weird directions.
get her a REAL sleeping bag Ie, -40F, $400, or 3 of the $50 ones from wallys and put them one inside of the other. Tell her to stay in the car, unless you want her to freeze to death. The car blocks the wind and wont let rain or snow melt ruin the sleeping bag.
I do use this over my sleeping bag - but only in cold (below freezing) and/or windy conditions. Better than a liner because it blocks wind and can be used in more ways than a liner.
Definitely some good tips. You're right about over-layering and generating perspiration. However, I know some people use the Escape with bags inside with no condensation. I think the key is not using too much insulation and matching your gear to conditions. For example, you might put a 40 degree bag inside the Escape and may get into the 30s more comfortably. I don't own this yet, but it seems a lot of people are successful using it along those lines. I was researching this to possibly use with a tarp setup to block wind or mist from my bag if things got too drafty.
Holy shit Justin is that actually you? I’ve just finished watching Alone a few weeks back...what are the odds. Just wanted to say that you were a MASSIVE inspiration to me and I’m sure a lot of other people watching. I really mean that. You didn’t win the show but you’ve won our hearts man so thank you. What you did out there was genuinely something else and a selfless act. Hope you’re doing well, respect from the UK. Stay strong 💪
I read all the reply’s, I think you got it exactly right. Test on your deck is fine. A real life test in the mountains in cold temps is best. 1 question: lots to say why no good with a sleeping bag in side. But what if it was used as a liner in a sleeping bag? Condensation might or might not be a problem? Although this bivy is intended as emergency if no other bag is available. Yes? I keep one in my vehicle. One in my 72hr bag & 1 always in my day pack. I’d sure like to see a how to use video from SOL done in a real life situation. Thank you Justin! Much respect to you for your Alone adventure and for your dedication to Veterans and active duty boys also! I kee
you're cold when you use it cause it's not waf below 60F, unless you tent it off of you and have it around a hammock. Then it can handle 50F, if all you have is cammies and a beanie. Thats all. It's too small, too, since it's sized for little Asian guys. A much better deal is the $95, 1.5 lb Trifecta bivy from 2GoSystems. It's much bigger, has tie offs for use as a shelter, can be worn as a bivy, two full zippers. If you envelope it in a couple of taped together drum liners, it'll let you sleep ok at 40F, in cammies, gloves, sets of sock lliners, shemagh, beanie and unlaced shoes, 6" off of the ground in a hammock, with debris kicked under the envelope to stop air from flowing under you. That's all you can expect of a layer of tyvek, folks. You CAN add dry debris between the bivy and the envelope and get it down to 30F, add hot rocks or hot water bottles to the footbox, and get it down to 20F, for 2-3 hours at a time. Dont expect miracles out of a thin piece of tyvek, cause you'll be sorely disappointed. any place it touches you will form a cold spot. It does nothing to stop heat loss from conduction to the ground, It doesn't stop much wind and if you let water puddle up on the tyvek, it WILL soak thru, eventually.. If you dont envelope it in some sort of other barrier, forming a layer of trapped air, you will get some condensation of your body moisture inside of the bivy
Great point you had with to much layers I seen you post on Instagram earlier , I am definitely curious about even the colder weather looking forward to your overnight test
I love these bivys... I brought mine to use like the military bags as a outer liner but never got cold enough to actually use a sleeping bag inside of it... Of course i don't camp in winter.. 😎
Consider adding a vapor barrier liner inside the sleeping bag. The liner maintains the proper humidity next to the skin and will keep all the insulation around you completely dry. I don't go backpacking without one. They are not easy to find. Backcountry Gear sells them. They cost close to $100 but are truly worth it. You might be able to make a cheap temporary emergency liner by sewing a couple of space blankets together taking care to completely seal it to moisture. Just wrapping a space blanket around you inside your sleeping bag would likely be less effective. There are a few good articles on the internet about how vapor barrier liners work.
VIP's are almost a necessity for extremely cold (below 0*F, but more so even colder). They aren't so comfortable for moderate to minor cold as they can get very clammy.
You were clear you don't like acronyms 😉, but have you tried BRACE? I feel like it offers a little more information to dynamically respond to survival scenarios where thermoregulation is an issue. It stands for Breathing, Radiation, Air Convection, Conduction, and Evaporation. Like the vid, thnx
That you for this! With the popularity of ultralight-everything for extended ultra-endurance races (running or cycling) what would be the best way to use something like this? You do a good job of explaining how it works and what people get wrong with it, but: IS there a situation that this is usable with an ultralight sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner (whether inside or out)? If you were taking on a 5-7 day adventure race, where you sleep when you can and ounces matter, would this be in your bag or would you opt for something else? Thanks for your videos!
I slept in mine in October instead of my sleeping bag and i kick it off but we had reflextics down as a mat on the floor... We stayed really warm warmer than the first year we went camping in the same area...
"alright so i'm in the bivvy!" 😂 for real though, great review and valuable info! WEEP! won't forget that one. thank you so much for your time and energy
Very very good breakdown. I'm going to share this. You might want to review my response to Matthew below. A couple of minor details.. The majority of your bodies heat escapes out your head AND feet. When you breathe your own breath you get hypoxic. ;) I was actually looking for a comparison between aluminized polyester and mylar. I haven't found one yet. I would assume that mylar is vastly superior in it's reflectivity, and the aluminized polyester only reflects about 50% of your body's infra-red radiation. Now I'm discovering these PTFE and PU options and I just don't know what to make of it.
no, most of your heat is NOT lost thru your head and feet. that's a myth, google it. Only 10% of your heat loss is to radiation. Most of it is to conduction and convection. tyvek does NOTHING to prevent heat loss to conduction and not all that much vs conduction. The Escape is MUCH too small for anyone but petite US women or little asian guys.
I use the Escape Bivy as a top quilt in my hammock and it blocks the wind, reflects my body heat, and I am not building up moisture. I guess the side ventilation when using as a quilt stops the moisture from building up. I cut down the top of the bivy in the middle to about 2.5 feet from the bottom. This creates a foot box. Then I flip it over to use it as a top quilt. My main insulation is my clothes.
Turning it into a quilt is a good idea it retains the air gap between the Mylar and yourself and that traps radiated heat, instead of squeezing into the bag and having no air gap to retain heat, while wearing a puffer jacket and a pair of quilted trousers.
Thank you. Have you heard of Blizzard medical gear. They have triple layers. But not breathable. I'm not sure what is a better product - the SOL or Blizzard. The SOL being breathable seems more favourable
I keep a bivvy, poncho, ridgeline, fire stuff, small first aid kit, and a couple drum liner garbage bags in a small pouch that can attach to my belt or a backpack. Not my ideal but it will work in a pinch.
I rather not use it. It below freezing and i was so colded that hyperthermia kicked in and i was shivering so bad. The only thing that same my life was the heater of my truck. I rather just carry the proper sleeping bags
No offense intended but doing a "test" of the bivy on your deck in daylight isn't going to prove much of anything. I wouldn't trust this thing to protect me in the wilderness without seeing multiple "tests" overnight in real world conditions. In the meantime, if you're going into the wilderness, carry at a minimum a good sleeping pad and a bag or quilt rated for the conditions. Throw in a good tent while you're at it. Carry a reliable GPS device and a personal locator beacon (PLB) too. Save the SAR guys the trouble of having to look for you when you get yourself lost of injured.
Excellent advice! These bivvies can save your life in an emergency, but like everything, there is a right way and wrong way to use them. Unfortunately, many don't take the time to learn the right way. Great information!
It is not a sleeping bag except in an emergency. It is a bivy sack, meaning you need an insulating layer, unless it is already warm and you're only trying to stay dry. If you dress properly for the environment and activity, such as you are, that may be sufficient. Or, possibly the addition of another jacket. I have used the SOL Escape Bivy with a jungle sleeping bag and fleece, with the temperatures down in the 20°, while hunting in the mountains of Nevada. Stayed warm enough and dry. You have to look at it as part of the solution.
The jungle bag alone is rated down to 28 alone. Instead of a jungle bag and "fleece" not sure if you mean clothing, blanket or sleeping bag liner? Use a down bag?
I’ve used this bivvy many times. By itself in the summer and with a sleeping bag inside for colder weather. It absolutely increases warmth but I wouldn’t say it is noticeably breathable. I always have a small amount of condensation on the inside of the bivvy but overall, I think it’s great and usually bring it as a lightweight solution to increasing the warmth of my sleep system. Having said that, I once tried an emergency Mylar sleeping bag and the sweat buildup was insane.
For emergencies, these can be used for bare minimum survival if used correctly, as shown. I carry one in my survival pack along with two "space blankets", basically to entertain myself before freezing to death. Kind of like carrying some fishing hooks and dental floss. Purely for amusement the next day if I survive the night.
"To entertain myself before freezing to death." LOL.
🤣
So glad we have these video forums
I no have to say I respectfully disagree. This BIVI is supposed to have an insulating layer inside. The key is using an appropriate layer for the conditions. Sweating is simply because the user has used too much insulation. But I know many people who regularly use a sleeping bag inside these and have zero problems with condensation. Too much insulation = sweat. Too little = cold. Exactly the same as clothing. We all know to take off layers if we start sweating, or put on layers if too cold. Not sure why people think it’s any different when laying flat inside a bivi bag.
W.E.E.P. Brilliant, brother. Thank you!
Also one of the best videos I've seen on survival on youtube. You're an excellent analyst, a very clear thinker and an excellent communicator. UA-cam needs to hire you to run Quality Control on Bushcraft/Survival videos.
Just for more food for thought, I was in a cold weather unit in the Marines and so I got to spend my fair share of time outside in negative temperatures. We had a saying 'cotton kills'. If possible, try to wear synthetic base layers that will shed moisture. Cotton becomes soaked and will suck heat from you. Sweat is your enemy. If you're going to have to do some moving, start cold, believe me you'll heat up fast as you begin to move, especially with a load on your back, and it will prevent you from excessively sweating.
When i was in MWTC Bridgeport I slept with my mouth at the drawstring hole so I didn't condensate and die. That was -20's with wind. Worst 30 days of my life!
Not precisely. Cotton wicks. The key is in wearing layers of clothing, in the proper order. Bare minimum, you need 3 layers. 1) A wicking layer 2) Insulation (loft) layer 3) weather-proof layer.
Cotton also holds up better to getting loaded up with sweat and salt and etc. than any other fiber.
Step one is DON'T sweat. If you start to sweat, ventilate immediately to release the excess heat from your body core.
IF you're going to wear a cotton it needs something to wick in TO. If it doesn't have something to wick in to, it won't. Then you've got problems. You don't want your sweat to evaporate directly out of the cotton, because that sucks the heat right out of your body. So, then you've got to take your base layer off and air dry it. Without it freezing solid.
So that's why you need something for it to wick in to. Cotton wicks best in to wool, and coincidentally wool has the best loft and insulation values of any cloth material. Fleece has almost identical insulation values when it's dry, but it doesn't have near the insulation value of wool when it's just damp. Wool blows everything away when it's damp, because it has hollow fibers.
Your top layer should be weather-proof. Our forefathers used oil-skin.
I think it's terribly interesting that the natural materials work better together, and the synthetic materials work better together.
If you want to use synthetic materials, your base layer should be a cotton/polyester blend. Your insulation loft layer should be a synthetic fleece. Your weather-proof layer should be gore-tex. For each layer, the more expensive blends add a few more % of insulation value. Supposedly.
That should be all you need. Add a thinsulate hat, boots and gloves (I prefer gloves with gore-tex and kevlar padding in deep winter) and you should be good to sub-zero temperatures. The only time you need snow pants, a parka and etc. is in blizzard conditions or cross country snow trekking.
The key, in every layer except perhaps your base layer is ventilation. You always want your base layer to wick away from your skin. All of your other layers need ventilation. It is critical that you have the ability to quickly ventilate excess heat once you start sweating, so that your body will stop sweating. As we know, your body sweats to prevent heat from building up in your core and damaging your internal organs, up to and including heat stroke. If you have the ability to ventilate off that excess heat in sub-zero temperatures, you're golden.
Obviously you don't need to wear all three layers year round. Here in Colorado the weather is 100% schizophrenic. You can have a full-tilt mountain blizzard one night, and 80 degrees the next morning. Every. Body. Wears layers once they've spent enough time in Colorado. You don't need to wear all of the layers all of the time, obviously. You just keep them in your truck or pack or whatever. In the sand dunes, you're better off stripping down to your base layer. Actually, a LOOSE fitting cotton layer covering your core and limbs is your best desert option.
Just to be totally honest, I should mention that I wear wool socks 24x7x365.. but that's just me. I love my wool socks. As amazing as wool is, you should NOT wear it directly next to your skin, because your sweat breaks down the lanolin and makes it less waterproof. If that's not bad enough, the salt crystals from your sweat cut up the wool fibers and break it down. I do what I want, though, I just keep like 12 pairs of wool socks on hand, then buy a few more pair every winter the second that they hit the store shelves. :)
I was taught as a kid going hill walking, you have to stay cool to stay warm. Meaning, perspiration leads to getting cold.
Cotton is a no no for sure
@@Crogon exactly it gets loaded up with sweat...do not want your sweat evaporating out of cotton...etc.. You sort of proved his point in a round about way. Cotton holds up better than any other fiber to getting loaded up with sweat but then wool blows all other fibers away? Cotton doesn't hold up all that well and dries much slower. Does it wick? Sure it will soak it all up. Soak it all up and hold onto it. I like my cotton for sure, comfy and warm in ideal conditions. Less than ideal or sweating? It's no good. Wool doesn't loft. It is the measure of space down fills. There is no combination of synthetic or natural materials that need be followed. If you are wearing or using cotton your step one is absolutely avoiding sweating as you said. Otherwise step one is wearing synthetic layers, step two vent to stay dry lol. I would agree wool would be best on top of cotton if you are going to rock it. I just avoid it all together.
Good bit of info!! Nice to see a video of someone using the survival gear effectively.
MiddleFork Fly Fishing and Hunting Outdoors thanks!
Great stuff! And you were great on Alone! Kudos to you for giving a voice to our veterans. Subscribed!
I do a lot of hammock camping in any weather that I can escape into. In the cold months, I will use a bag liner, aegis max down quilt, and one of these escape bivies. With my insulated pad in the hammock, I have yet to freeze to death. Been passed freezing couple of times, in the hammock, without an underquilt.
You’ve come at this from the angle that answers my questions. Pad no pad, clothes no clothes, blankets no blankets… etc. I’m putting together a bag for my wife, travel nurse. Extended distances from home at times, 100 plus miles. Looking for fool proof items that workout weird directions.
get her a REAL sleeping bag Ie, -40F, $400, or 3 of the $50 ones from wallys and put them one inside of the other. Tell her to stay in the car, unless you want her to freeze to death. The car blocks the wind and wont let rain or snow melt ruin the sleeping bag.
I do use this over my sleeping bag - but only in cold (below freezing) and/or windy conditions. Better than a liner because it blocks wind and can be used in more ways than a liner.
Excellent review, will be buying one now to keep in my day pack when I head out on my snowmobile
Definitely some good tips. You're right about over-layering and generating perspiration. However, I know some people use the Escape with bags inside with no condensation. I think the key is not using too much insulation and matching your gear to conditions. For example, you might put a 40 degree bag inside the Escape and may get into the 30s more comfortably. I don't own this yet, but it seems a lot of people are successful using it along those lines. I was researching this to possibly use with a tarp setup to block wind or mist from my bag if things got too drafty.
any feedback on that btw im thinking of doing the same
Holy shit Justin is that actually you? I’ve just finished watching Alone a few weeks back...what are the odds. Just wanted to say that you were a MASSIVE inspiration to me and I’m sure a lot of other people watching. I really mean that. You didn’t win the show but you’ve won our hearts man so thank you. What you did out there was genuinely something else and a selfless act. Hope you’re doing well, respect from the UK. Stay strong 💪
I read all the reply’s, I think you got it exactly right. Test on your deck is fine. A real life test in the mountains in cold temps is best.
1 question: lots to say why no good with a sleeping bag in side. But what if it was used as a liner in a sleeping bag? Condensation might or might not be a problem?
Although this bivy is intended as emergency if no other bag is available. Yes?
I keep one in my vehicle. One in my 72hr bag & 1 always in my day pack.
I’d sure like to see a how to use video from SOL done in a real life situation.
Thank you Justin! Much respect to you for your Alone adventure and for your dedication to Veterans and active duty boys also!
I kee
Excellent job man. You've saved me some heartache here.
Awesome tutorial video... well done !!!
you're cold when you use it cause it's not waf below 60F, unless you tent it off of you and have it around a hammock. Then it can handle 50F, if all you have is cammies and a beanie. Thats all. It's too small, too, since it's sized for little Asian guys. A much better deal is the $95, 1.5 lb Trifecta bivy from 2GoSystems. It's much bigger, has tie offs for use as a shelter, can be worn as a bivy, two full zippers. If you envelope it in a couple of taped together drum liners, it'll let you sleep ok at 40F, in cammies, gloves, sets of sock lliners, shemagh, beanie and unlaced shoes, 6" off of the ground in a hammock, with debris kicked under the envelope to stop air from flowing under you. That's all you can expect of a layer of tyvek, folks. You CAN add dry debris between the bivy and the envelope and get it down to 30F, add hot rocks or hot water bottles to the footbox, and get it down to 20F, for 2-3 hours at a time. Dont expect miracles out of a thin piece of tyvek, cause you'll be sorely disappointed. any place it touches you will form a cold spot. It does nothing to stop heat loss from conduction to the ground, It doesn't stop much wind and if you let water puddle up on the tyvek, it WILL soak thru, eventually.. If you dont envelope it in some sort of other barrier, forming a layer of trapped air, you will get some condensation of your body moisture inside of the bivy
Great point you had with to much layers I seen you post on Instagram earlier , I am definitely curious about even the colder weather looking forward to your overnight test
I love these bivys... I brought mine to use like the military bags as a outer liner but never got cold enough to actually use a sleeping bag inside of it... Of course i don't camp in winter.. 😎
Nice vid. Looking forward to your overnight test. The WEEP acronym is pretty good btw. -Jason K
justa guy thanks! I find it easier to remember and apply the principles when making shelters and trying to stay warm
Consider adding a vapor barrier liner inside the sleeping bag. The liner maintains the proper humidity next to the skin and will keep all the insulation around you completely dry. I don't go backpacking without one. They are not easy to find. Backcountry Gear sells them. They cost close to $100 but are truly worth it. You might be able to make a cheap temporary emergency liner by sewing a couple of space blankets together taking care to completely seal it to moisture. Just wrapping a space blanket around you inside your sleeping bag would likely be less effective. There are a few good articles on the internet about how vapor barrier liners work.
VIP's are almost a necessity for extremely cold (below 0*F, but more so even colder). They aren't so comfortable for moderate to minor cold as they can get very clammy.
You were clear you don't like acronyms 😉, but have you tried BRACE? I feel like it offers a little more information to dynamically respond to survival scenarios where thermoregulation is an issue. It stands for Breathing, Radiation, Air Convection, Conduction, and Evaporation. Like the vid, thnx
That you for this!
With the popularity of ultralight-everything for extended ultra-endurance races (running or cycling) what would be the best way to use something like this?
You do a good job of explaining how it works and what people get wrong with it, but:
IS there a situation that this is usable with an ultralight sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner (whether inside or out)? If you were taking on a 5-7 day adventure race, where you sleep when you can and ounces matter, would this be in your bag or would you opt for something else?
Thanks for your videos!
I slept in mine in October instead of my sleeping bag and i kick it off but we had reflextics down as a mat on the floor... We stayed really warm warmer than the first year we went camping in the same area...
"alright so i'm in the bivvy!" 😂 for real though, great review and valuable info! WEEP! won't forget that one. thank you so much for your time and energy
Very very good breakdown. I'm going to share this. You might want to review my response to Matthew below.
A couple of minor details.. The majority of your bodies heat escapes out your head AND feet. When you breathe your own breath you get hypoxic. ;)
I was actually looking for a comparison between aluminized polyester and mylar. I haven't found one yet. I would assume that mylar is vastly superior in it's reflectivity, and the aluminized polyester only reflects about 50% of your body's infra-red radiation. Now I'm discovering these PTFE and PU options and I just don't know what to make of it.
no, most of your heat is NOT lost thru your head and feet. that's a myth, google it. Only 10% of your heat loss is to radiation. Most of it is to conduction and convection. tyvek does NOTHING to prevent heat loss to conduction and not all that much vs conduction. The Escape is MUCH too small for anyone but petite US women or little asian guys.
I use the Escape Bivy as a top quilt in my hammock and it blocks the wind, reflects my body heat, and I am not building up moisture. I guess the side ventilation when using as a quilt stops the moisture from building up. I cut down the top of the bivy in the middle to about 2.5 feet from the bottom. This creates a foot box. Then I flip it over to use it as a top quilt. My main insulation is my clothes.
Turning it into a quilt is a good idea it retains the air gap between the Mylar and yourself and that traps radiated heat, instead of squeezing into the bag and having no air gap to retain heat,
while wearing a puffer jacket and a pair of quilted trousers.
I carry a couple of packs of chemical hand warmers in with the SOL.
If you wear a big jacket and touch the Mylar it wont trap the radiated heat, there has to be an air gap.
Thank you.
Have you heard of Blizzard medical gear. They have triple layers. But not breathable. I'm not sure what is a better product - the SOL or Blizzard. The SOL being breathable seems more favourable
Looking forward to the camp out experience.
Did he not survive the test? This was last video he uploaded.
Quality content. Anyone can buy gear, but if you don't know the details on how to best use it, than you're not going to survive.
Jason Stewart absolutely!
Great video. Thanks for sharing!
Excellent, thanks
If I’m carrying a ground mat chances are I have something better than an emergency bivy.
I keep a bivvy, poncho, ridgeline, fire stuff, small first aid kit, and a couple drum liner garbage bags in a small pouch that can attach to my belt or a backpack. Not my ideal but it will work in a pinch.
Think I will just stay with their solar tarp for emergencies. That way I can open up briefly to let out condensation.
Yup ..bring a heavy mill large trash bag ..fill with leaves / debris..make a bros bed to lay on
very nice review!!!!!
Most of the heat lost through head.... Yes because usually we don't cover our faces....
But otherwise that's just a urban myth....
It’s a breathable bag. There are cheaper ones that are not
It's incorrect to say that the majority of your heat is lost through your head, that's an old myth that has been proven wrong
I use a jungle bag and S.O.L. outside w/t wool gloves and hat - comfortable at 38 degrees… you MUST INSULATE FROM THE GROUND !
I rather not use it. It below freezing and i was so colded that hyperthermia kicked in and i was shivering so bad. The only thing that same my life was the heater of my truck. I rather just carry the proper sleeping bags
Pity about the background noise
No offense intended but doing a "test" of the bivy on your deck in daylight isn't going to prove much of anything. I wouldn't trust this thing to protect me in the wilderness without seeing multiple "tests" overnight in real world conditions. In the meantime, if you're going into the wilderness, carry at a minimum a good sleeping pad and a bag or quilt rated for the conditions. Throw in a good tent while you're at it. Carry a reliable GPS device and a personal locator beacon (PLB) too. Save the SAR guys the trouble of having to look for you when you get yourself lost of injured.
I guess, you could lay on top, of your extra gear?
Sorry but you lost me at acronym
The amount of bs is insane
You stole my channel name change it or I will report you for a copyright violation!!!!!!!
😂